An action group has been set up to "defend a Suffolk village pub from potential redevelopment," amid fears it could become housing.

The Friends of the Half Moon (FOTH) is seeking to keep the Half Moon in Walton High Street as a pub after it closed on October 25.

The pub, owned by Southwold brewer Adnams, has been put on the market through estate agents Savills, which is seeking offers in the region of £375,000.

READ MORE: Brewer searching for "right people" for Half Moon in Walton

However, Adnams announced last week that it was looking to find new tenants for the pub or sell the pub as a freehold sale.

Nick Attfield, director of hospitality and retail at Adnams, said: “Adnams is working with our current tenants at The Half Moon to find a new custodian for the pub.

"This may be with new tenants or could be a freehold sale. It absolutely depends on finding the right people to ensure the future success of this pub for its operators and the local community.”

READ MORE: Half Moon pub in Walton Suffolk to close after 200 years

But Robert Jones, from FOTH, said the pub was not registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which protected it from redevelopment, nor had listed building status, which also provided protections.

He said: "Of course, given the lack of protection for The Half Moon in regards to listed status or ACV status, there is a huge risk of redevelopment of the pub or its garden.

"We have already seen this occur yards down the road at the former Feathers pub - now private housing."

In the Savills advert, the pub is described as having a trade garden for 102 customers, a children's play area, boules courts and an outbuilding.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news